World Perspectives

Employment and Inflation Analysis

Recent economic data is still less than conclusive on where the U.S. economy is headed. Last week’s job report came out strong. Payrolls were up 263,000 jobs and unemployment was at 3.5 percent, tied with the pre-pandemic lows, but the workforce participation rate in September was 62.3 percent, down from 62.4 percent in August, tied for the second highest of the year. That compares with a 63.1 percent yearly average in 2019, pre-pandemic; September 2019 was 63.2 percent. So, the workforce is still below pre-pandemic levels. Those voluntarily leaving the marketplace for jobs among the unemployed was 15.9 percent, the highest in more than 30 years. People who dropped out of the job market and no longer actively looked for employment...

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WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 30 June)

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Summary of Futures

Sep 25 Corn closed at $4.0925/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.3825/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.27/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Aug 25 Soymeal closed at $275.8/short ton, up $0.2...

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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